The Reggae Girlz are taking the world by storm at the Women’s World Cup in New Zealand and Australia.

Their display of grit and determination, which have propelled them to a historic round of 16 berth, have earned the Jamaicans millions of fans across the globe.

But what makes them even more fascinating are the compelling storylines surrounding the team.

For those who desire to learn even more, here are some interesting facts about the Reggae Girlz.

1. Sister! Sister!

Did you know that central defenders Allyson and Chantelle Swaby are sisters? Both women were born in Connecticut to Jamaican parents, with Allyson being the older sibling. Chantelle plays for FC Fluery 91 while Allyson plays for Angel City FC, both in the United States. In a display of true sisterhood, the Swabys were key members of the history-making Jamaican team that made their debut at the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France.

2. What’s behind the nickname ‘Bunny’?

The team’s captain and brightest star Khadija Shaw, Jamaica’s all-time leading scorer with 55 goals, is affectionately known as “Bunny”. It’s a moniker that was given to the Spanish Town native as a child by her older brother Kentardo due to her love for carrot juice. Bunny said she hated the name at first, but eventually embraced it.

3. Singing Cameron

No Jamaican International has played more matches in the World Cup than Tiffany Cameron. The Canada-born player represented her native country at the Under-17 World Cup in 2008 in New Zealand and Jamaica in France 2019 and this year’s tournament. The versatile right-back is also fond of music, having released several singles including the Reggae Girlz’ official anthem, ‘Our time is Now’ for the 2019 World Cup.

4. Oh momma!

Cheyna Matthews is one of many super humans at the Women’s World Cup this year as she is balancing being a mother of three and football. In 2019, Matthews received her first call-up to the Jamaican squad months after giving birth to her first child Josiah. She then made her debut at the tournament in France. This time, Matthews made another rapid comeback to competitive football after the birth of her then three-month-old son and third child Cairo.

5. Historic Solaun

In 2019, midfielder Havana Solaun etched her name in history by scoring Jamaica’s first-ever goal at a Women’s World Cup. The 30-year-old, who was a second-half substitute, scored in the 49th minute against Australia at the Stade Des Alpes in Grenoble.

6. Controversial crowdfunding

After the Reggae Girlz booked their ticket for the round of 16, Shaw in an interview with Arsenal legend Ian Wright said: “We had to go on GoFundMe to get money to be here.” That narrative of the girls allegedly needing crowdfunding to participate at the Word Cup due to lack of support from the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) has been making the rounds in the international media. However, the JFF has refuted the claim, stating that it spent nearly US $3 million to help the Girlz prepare for the tournament, and that it received no help from the crowdfunding initiative spearheaded by the mother of midfielder Havana Solaun.

7. Comeback kid

Kayla McKenna was set to make her World Cup debut in France in 2019 but missed the tournament after she suffered a near career-ending knee injury before it started. Having worked hard to recover from the injury, McKenna is now a key member of the squad in Australia and New Zealand.

8. New kid on the block

Seventeen-year-old Solai Washington is the youngest player on the Reggae Girlz squad. The central midfielder, who is a promising talent, got her first call-up to the senior level straight out of high school. She was recently named the 2023 Georgia Girls Soccer Player of the year after an outstanding season in which she led the Lady Bulldogs to the Class 5A girls’ state title, according to the DeKalb County School District website.

9. Team disbanded twice in 15 years

The JFF disbanded the Reggae Girlz team twice over the last 15 years. In 2008, the team was disbanded after failing to make it out of the group stages of the Olympic Qualifiers and lack of funding. In 2011, due to inactivity, Jamaica was not ranked in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings. The programme restarted in 2014 after a six-year hiatus, backed by Cedella Marley, who helps the team financially and also raises awareness.

10. First Caribbean women’s team to qualify for Women’s World Cup

The Jamaican squad became the first women’s team from the Caribbean to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2019. At the Concacaf Women’s Championship in 2018, the Reggae Girlz topped the tournament and advanced along with Canada and the USA.